Make the playoffs: Who to sit and start for final fantasy matchup

Week 13. The season is coming to an end. This is not a drill.

Are you right on the edge of making it into your leagues playoffs? Are you barely in the postseason with someone nipping at your heels? Here are some players to start and sit if you want to land a spot in the postseason.

Quarterback

Start:
Russell Wilson

I have wanted to write this all season, and after a five-touchdown game on his birthday I finally, in all confidence, can. You should start Russell Wilson.

Never mind his incredible ability to make things happen with his legs, the guy has an arm and he is proving it. In an important game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wilson made most of his connections from the pocket. He threw for five touchdowns, 345 yards and rushed for 14 more yards.

The Steelers did a good job at keeping Wilson in the pocket, but not everyone will. If Wilson has a bad week passing the ball, he’ll more than make up for it with his legs. Start him with confidence that no matter what defense he’s playing against, he’ll make the plays you need to succeed.

Sit:
Drew Brees

Usually my go-to start at QB, this week may be the time to give Brees a rest. With the saints going up against a hot Carolina defense and coming off of his lowest yardage game of the season, Brees has looked better.

The entire Saints’ offense is struggling. They’ve had good games during the season and do have a chance to rebound, but going up against Josh Norman, Luke Kuechly and Star Lotulelei, bench Brees. Keep him in mind for playoffs but find someone else to get you there.

Tight End

Start:
Greg Olsen or Luke Willson

With Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham both out with injuries this week, people in your league are guaranteed to be looking to a new tight end to supplement their roster.

The obvious number-one start is Greg Olsen. He’s going up against the Saints, and with Cam Newton at the helm he’s sure to put up some yardage.

If you aren’t lucky enough to have Olsen on your roster another good start would be Luke Willson in Seattle. Graham was beginning to develop a larger role in the Seahawk’s offense, a role that will be filled by Willson. Willson is a good fit for Seattle and he already knows the playbook, he’ll step in to be an immediate contributor.

There seems to be a strong bond between Willson and his QB Wilson that Graham has yet to develop.

Wide Receiver

Start:
Danny Amendola

Amendola is coming off of an injury, but the Eagles’ weak secondary and the absence of Gronk and Julian Edelman will leave Brady looking to him on Sunday. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, no matter how you feel personally about Brady, his receivers will always put up points.

Make sure to keep an eye on his status since he’s returning from injury, but if Amendola plays, he’s a lock for targets and needs to be in your lineup.

Sit:
Brandin Cooks

Apart from last week, Cooks has been doing well recently. Once again, the Saints are going up against the red hot Panthers and Brees just hasn’t been putting up the yards we’re accustomed to. If you have another wide receiver on your roster, try them out they’ll likely produce more than the boom-or-bust production you’ve become accustomed to from Cooks.

Cooks too can bounce back as he’s shown after his dismal start to the season, but this won’t be his week.

— Emily is a senior studying broadcast journalism with an emphasis in sports. Her Seahawks are crushing her spirits this season so she finds her only joy in beating her brothers and friends in Fantasy Football. Send any comments or smack talk to emilymarieduke@gmail.com or find her on Twitter @missemilymduke.